"This illustrated history focuses exclusively on Piedmont string band music - its place in the history and culture of the area, the music's development within traditional communities of the Piedmont, and many of the best known bands and musicians. Extensively researched, the text draws upon personal interviews with dozens of performers." "Topics include African-Americans and string band music; the societal functions of square dances; the ways in which musicians learned to play and bought their instruments; fiddlers' conventions and their history as community fundraisers; the recording industry and Piedmont musicians who cut recordings; the influence of live radio stations, including WPTF in Raleigh, WGWR in Asheboro, WSJS in Winston-Salem, WBIG in Greensboro and WBT in Charlotte; the first generation of locally-bred country entertainers, including Charlie Monroe's Kentucky Partners, Gurney Thomas and Glenn Thompson; and bluegrass and musical change following World War II."--BOOK JACKET.